Date of Birth: 13 10 1975
Place of Birth: France
Position: Defender
Nationality: Guinea
Bobo Balde Rumours and Transfers
23 07 2007
Sunderland manager Roy Keane is to put his powers of persuasion to the test once again as he attempts to lure Leighton Baines to Wearside.
The Black Cats have in the end been given permission to talk to the 22 year old Wigan full back with the 2 clubs trying to thrash out a deal.
Keane was on the England U21 international's trail for much of the summer and has had 3 previous bids discarded by the Latics.
However, the Sunderland Echo reports that Wigan have now given the Wearsiders the green light to speak to one of their prize assets as they face up to the possibility of losing him.
Sunderland have already invested £16 million in new transfers so far in the summer, and must part with around £6 million more to get their hands on the Liverpool born defender.
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings has preserved for much of the close season that the player is not for sale and that he does not want to leave the JJB Stadium in any case.
However, Hutchings' subsequent admission that every player has his price came as Keane refused to give up his pursuit, and now it is down to him to sell his vision at the Stadium of Light to a man who was linked with a series of Barclays Premier League clubs since establishing himself at Wigan.
The Irishman has so far done that successfully with Greg Halford, Russell Anderson, Michael Chopra, Kieran Richardson and Dickson Etuhu, even though did not fare so well with Baines' international team mate David Nugent.
Last season's Coca-Cola Championship winners withdrew their bid for the then Preston forward as he stalled on giving them an answer with Keane adamant he only would like players who are fully committed to the cause.
Today's development will alert possible competitors to the player's availability, however the Sunderland manager will hope the chance to outline his plans 1st will prove decisive.
Baines was training with Wigan this morning, however faces a big decision over his future.
Inspite of investing a total of £10.5 million in Chopra and Richardson, Keane continues to work hard on strengthening his defence with Halford and Anderson unlikely to be the only new arrivals.
He got little encouragement in his pursuit of former Celtic team mate Bobo Balde, whilst his interest in £10 million rated Hearts goalie Craig Gordon is ongoing.
Keane and his players headed for a training camp in Portugal yesterday after their 1-0 friendly defeat at Scunthorpe on Saturday.
They will continue their preparations with a tour to Ireland, where they will play against Bohemians, Cork City and Galway after flying out next weekend.
20 07 2007
Out of favour Celtic defender Bobo Balde has pledged his immediate future to the Glasgow club inspite of reported interest from Sunderland.
Black Cats manager Roy Keane was reported to have made a £1.5 million offer for his former Celtic team-mate.
"I have made it clear in the past that I am very happy at Celtic and I am not interested in anything else," Balde informed the Daily Record.
"As far as I am concerned, nobody has spoken to me about a move anywhere."
The 31 year old Guinea international returns to action after a broken leg and is determined to regain his place in the centre of the defence.
But he faces intense competition from Stephen McManus, Steven Pressley, Darren O'Dea, Gary Caldwell and John Kennedy.
"I love the club, I am very settled in Glasgow and I could be happy to fulfil my current contract," mentioned Balde, who has 2 years of his current contract still to run.
"I only would like to be fit and ready for the start of the new season. I am only concentrating on getting my fitness back to where it was. Last season was one to forget and I would like to get back to my best."
18 06 2007
Falkirk defender Cedric Uras signed a one year contract extension.
Bairns manager John Hughes informed the club website he was delighted the former Bastia defender, 27, was continuing his playing career in Scotland.
"Cedric is a vitally important part of my defensive formation. Not only that, he passes on a good deal of experience to youngsters at the club," he said.
"He is well respected by his team mates and you can never have enough of these types of guys at a football club."
Uras, who has also played for Lyon, joined the Bairns last season after being recommended by Celtic centre half Bobo Balde.
